Budget Hearings

MINUTES Budget Hearings Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 2:30 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call to Order Council Members Present: Curt Soehl, Pat Starr, Theresa Stehly, Janet Brekke, Christine M. Erickson, Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg Council Members Absent: Rick Kiley 2. Approval of Minutes A. Budget Hearings of Tuesday, August 13, 2019 A motion was made by Council Member Erickson and seconded by Council Vice- Chair Neitzert to approve the minutes. Voice vote to approve. 7 Yes: Soehl, Starr, Stehly, Brekke, Erickson, Neitzert, Selberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 3. Budget Hearings A. Finance Office Budget by Shawn Pritchett, Director of Finance Shawn Pritchett, Director of Finance, provided a review of the Finance budget breakdown which incorporates Personnel and Operating information resulting in a rounded amount of $3.3M for Total Operating. The information compares the 2019 Budget to the 2020 Budget. Discussion was held regarding: open positions and future hiring plans. B. Public Works by Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works, opened with a video about Public Works. Cotter provided a review of the department's BHAG's and then an overview for each of the following departments within Public Works: Highway and Streets, Storm Drainage, Light, Power and Traffic, Sanitary Landfill, Water, and Water Reclamation. Each budget overview covered that department's "Our Story", a breakdown of the budget and a listing of Capital Overview projects. The presentation included FTE changes by department and explanations regarding the need for the new positions.  The presentation for Highways and Streets included maps for the following projects: the 8th Street Bridge over the Big Sioux River, the River Greenway Site Plan, 26th Street/Southeastern Avenue, Southeastern Avenue from 18th Street to 26th Street, 41st Street and Western Avenue Intersection Improvements, 85th Street from Hughes Avenue to Tallgrass Avenue, 57th Street from Minnesota Avenue to Western Avenue and Minnesota Avenue from 57th to Ralph Rogers Road, Marion Road from Maple Street to Madison Street, Traffic signals at 41st and Faith and 41st and Sparta, 49th Street from Louise Avenue to Oxbow, 4th Street from Minnesota to Main, SDDOT Project: Minnesota Avenue from 85th Street to 273rd ; and SDDOT Project: Veterans Parkway from I90 to Rice Street. Discussion followed regarding: the selling of gas from the landfill; the capacity of contractors in the city being able to fill the needs and the bid process; the process for doing more overlays; the time being used for snowgates; leasing snowgate machines; neighborhood speed reduction; solar speed signs; the need for more speed signs in the city; the movement of funds from some departments for street repairs; the changes in salt price and usage; access to the 8th Street Bridge Project; the calibrations used to distribute salt; funding for the Marion Road street construction; water usage and hydrant maintenance; upcoming plans for inner streets and infrastructure; reusing blades from wind turbines at the landfill; reviewing waste hauler licenses; pastic bottles and bag usage; reconstruction within neighborhoods; the timing of the substation; drainage concerns; the amount of the water rates vs. the services received; and whether or not the newer high chools will be receiving power from the City of Sioux Falls; C. Parks and Recreation by Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation, played a video illustrating the Department's goals and tasks. Kearney reviewed the department’s responsibilities and projects including the emerald ash borer, parks/trails, programs and classes, pools, leagues and community centers. The major changes to the operating budget include a new Park Service Worker, repair and maintenance and tree planning-parks. The 2020 capital overview was reviewed regarding 17 projects. BHAG’s include facilitating private contributions, and completing Phase 3 of the Downtown River Greenway by 2022. Discussion was held regarding: the status of the former parks building; future plans for expanding the Levitt area; the change in the agreement for concession management at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History; the need for a curling facility; the drainage problems at Harmondon field; the timleine for the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan; acknowledging the usage at Drake Springs Pool; a Pilot Program for Project T.R.I.M; the usage and number of hours for South Dakota State Penitentiary inmates; the Prairie Green drainage ditch project; swimming lessons in the city and the possible need for just a regular swimming pool; and the transfer of funds from the Parks and Recreation Department to other departments. D. Transit by Sam Trebilcock, Senior Planner Sam Trebilcock, Senior Planner for Planning and Development Services, reviewed the Transit Rider Survey, the Transit Ridership Trends from 2014-2018, the funding  breakdown between the City’s contribution, Federal Funding and State Funding; the major changes which include contracted Services and pilot projects; the 2020 projects; and the Transit Core Team. Discussion was held regarding: the revenue generated yearly from fares; the fixed route system and tracking the statistics; cost sharing with agencies; moving to a system that accepts cards for payment vs. cash; using a better system for tracking riders; the office remodel at the bus station; capital purchases; the timeline with the Core Team and seeing action implemented on the pilot program; and vehicles and equipment needed for Paratransit riders. E. City Attorney's Office Budget by Stacy Kooistra, City Attorney Due to time constraints, this item was moved to the Informational Agenda for Tuesday, August 27, 2019. 4. Public Comment Dwaine Schipper spoke about the usage of wind turbine blades; checking city streets for potholes; his personal experience with snowgates; adding employees to the city budget; prepaying any reasonably priced debt; and the mowing of Prairie Trail park. 5. Executive Session A. Consulting with legal counsel or reviewing communications from legal counsel about proposed or pending litigation or contractual matters pursuant to SDCL 1-25- 2(3). A motion was made by Council Member Starr and seconded by Council Member Erickson to enter Executive Session at 5:55 p.m. Voice vote to enter Executive Session. 7 Yes: Soehl, Starr, Stehly, Brekke, Erickson, Neitzert, Selberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 6. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Starr and seconded by Council Member Erickson to exit Executive Session and adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Voice vote to exit Executive Session. 7 Yes: Soehl, Starr, Stehly, Brekke, Erickson, Neitzert, Selberg; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk